Mesquite Handle finish

C

CDH

Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
283
I have been using mesquite for handles and some times I get the nice reddish/pink color to come through and sometimes it just seems to darken to a deep plain brown. I would like to keep the natural color as much as possible. Here's my procedure:

Watco Danish oil, natural finish color

-Sand to 320 grit.
-Wet handle several times until finish is slightly standing (not immediately soaking in) and rub with 320 grit wet/dry paper, let dry overnight without wiping off mud
-repeat above with 600 grit until no finish seems to absorb (2-3 times usually)
-repeat one last time with 0000 steel wool and wipe down well while still wet
-shoeshine buff in a good wax

Suggestions to keep the natural color showing better?

Thanks in advance!
 
Sure sounds like they are well sealed so that would rule out air causing it to change. I use Watco Teak finish and it does darken my work. Have you tried tung oil?
 
I know some woods are photo sensitive and will darken/oxidize over time when exposed to light. Osage being one of these, when you first cut it it is a bight yellow/orange, but will quickly darken and it does not matter what finish you put on it. I believe mesquite is one of these woods as well.
 
I use teak oil on Mesquite all the time. Mesquite will eventually darken no matter what you use, as it oxidizes and reacts with light. Teak oil works better than Tung oil because it sinks in better. It does not get sticky.

I sand in several coats at 1200 to 1500 grit. Then sand the last coat down and polish with a buffing wheel and burn in a final coat of Carnuba Wax with the buffer.
 
If I sent it off to WSSI for stabilization would that stop the color changing?

I think I'll try some wood bleach too. Engnath's advises that on woods that oxidize...
 
personally, I like the color of Mesquite after it ages. Not as much contrast maybe but still good grain and nice warm brown color dominant.
 
Anyone know where I can pick up some cheap mesquite. A small piece of firewood would do. I cut my Osage Orange from short pieces of a 200 year old fence post that my uncle sent me from the Ozarks in Missouri. Also looking for a piece of persimmon.
 
What are you looking for in persimmon ? I have it in stabilized and unstabilized.
Stacy
 
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